Link reducing reciprocating knitting attachment



LINK REDUCING RECIPROCATING KNITTING ATTACHMENT Filed Jan. 16, 1948 July 3, 1951 J. A. YANKEELOV 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 R (I n w .L LIMHW m w v w mm mm a nu mfl R. mm & mm I I I m o 0 II I- 0 I II I o I -II mm JIIII I II! S m I I a QQ\ \Q\ w INVENTOR Jhn 1Z7. Kznifeelo?) ATTORNEYS July 3, 1951 .J. A. YANKEELOV 2,558,895

LINK REDUCING RECIPROCATING KNITTING ATTACHMENT Filed Jan. 16, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Jkn .27, Kzrflfeelou ATTORNEYS July 3, 1951 J- A. YANKEELOV 2,558,895

LINK REDUCING RECIPROCATING KNITTING ATTACHMENT Filed Jan. 16, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Jbhn J7, linjt'eelov BY fi ORN EY5 July 3, 1951 J. A. YANKEEL'OV 2,553,895

LINK REDUCING RECIPROCATING KNITTING'ATTACHMENT Filed Jan. 16, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 15 INVENTOR @737??? .17, .2 67; keezqv BY Zia/n4} 9' A ORNEYS Patented July 3, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LINK REDUCING RECIPROCATING KNIT- TING ATTACHMENT beth, N. J.

Application January 16, 1948, Serial No. 2,735

Claims. 1

My invention pertains to knitting machines and more specifically to a method for controlling the pattern of material being knitted on a horizontal or vertical knitting machine.

The principal objective of my device was to provide a novel means whereby the number of links necessary to knit a certain pattern will be reduced to a minimum.

- My device will also eliminate the necessity of providing pattern chains of excessive length in forming a solid knitting pattern.

7 The invention in its broadest aspects provides a mechanical clutch whose operation is determined by a novel pattern control mechanism. The clutch mechanism provides for a recipro cating movement which enables the use of two links to provide a solid design which in the normal procedure would require hundreds of links.

The advantages of such a link reducing system are many and it enables the operator to quickly and easily change his design pattern which normally required a large number of adjustments and consumed a great amount of time.

Further advantages and unique features of my invention will be apparent as I proceed with the description.

With reference to the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a front elevation partially in section of the clutch mechanism.

Figure 2 shows a front elevation of the cam that provides intermittent motion to the clutch mechanism.

Figure 3 shows a sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows a side elevation of a micro switch and its associated cams.

Figure 5 shows an end elevation of the bell crank and associated mechanism.

Figure 6 shows a front elevation of the bell crank and the block to which the solenoid operated pawl is attached.

Figure '7 shows a schematic wiring diagram of the pattern control mechanism.

Figure 8 shows a plan View of a section of film that controls the operation of the pattern mechanism.

Figure 9 shows a modification of the pattern control means.

Figure 10 shows an enlarged view of the knitted design; and,

Figure 11 shows a further modification of the pattern control means.

Essentially, my invention consists of a reciproeating clutch mechanism that may be attached to the conventional horizontal or vertical knitting machines and an associated pattern control means for determining the order of actuation of the clutch mechanism.

of the hub by pin 30.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the clutch mechanism 29 is driven by a cam 2| that engages with the teeth of the gear 22 to provide an intermittent motion to the clutch mechanism 20. The cam 21 is mounted on the main drive shaft 23 that is constantly revolving. Gear 22 is attached to one end of the shaft 24 and on the opposite end of thisshaft is a bevel gear 25 that meshes with right and left bevel gears 26 and 2'? respectively. The left bevel gear 21 is attached to one end of a hub 28 with a clutch member 29 being secured to the opposite end The hub 28 is free to rotate in the stationary bearing 3|. The right bevel gear 26 is similarly arranged having a hub 32, free to rotate, in a stationary bearing 33 with a clutch member 35 secured to the opposite .end of the hub 32. Although the hubs are free to rotate in the stationary bearings these bearings also prevent any lateral movement of the clutch members 29 and 34.

The clutch member 29 is equipped with a plurality of pins 35 that are adapted to engage in the openings 36 of the complementary clutch member 3? that is secured to the shaft 40. Similarly, the clutch member 34 is equipped with openings 4! which are adapted to be engaged by the pins 42 which are mounted on its complementary clutch member 43 that is likewise secured to the shaft 40. As the shaft 23 rotates through the cam 2! an intermittent motion will be transmitted to the bevel gear 25. The bevel gear 25 will cause gear 21 to rotate in a clockwise direction and gear 26 to rotate in a counter clockwise direction. Both the gears 26 and 21 and the clutch members 29 and 34 are free to rotate on the shaft 40. 7

On one end of the shaft 40 is a bevel gear that engages with another bevel gear 5| that is secured to the shaft 52. The bevel gear 50 is held in place through a stationary bearing 53 and a collar 54. The gear 50 and its hub 55 are splined to the shaft 40 to allow the free axial movement of the shaft 40 that takes place during the reciprocating motion of the clutch mechanism 20. The opposite of free end of the shaft 40 is secured to a plate through bolt 6|. The lower extremity of the plate 60 is secured to a block 62 to which is pivotally connected one end of the link 63. The opposite end of the link 63 is connected to a crank pin 54 which in turn is mounted on a shaft 65 to which is affixed a gear 66. As the gear 66 rotates the crank pin 64 causes the link 83 to reciprocate in opposite directions for each degree movement of the pin. A spring 6'1 and ball 68 arrangement engages alternately in notches 69 located at the top and bottom of a collar 10 secured to the crank pin shaft 65 to prevent any excessive movement of the pin 64 after each 188 degree movement. As can be seen, as the crank pin 84 causes a reciprocatin motion of the link 63 the complementary clutch members 31 and 43 will alternately engage and disengage with their respective clutch members 29 and 34 causing the gear 50 to rotate first to the right and then to the left as a result of the intermitent motion provided by the cam 2|, combined with the reciprocating motion described.

As shown in Figure 3, the gear .is connected to the shaft 52 at the opopsite end of which is a sprocket gear I8 which drives a sprocket chain I I. The sprocket chain 'II in turn, drives a second sprocket gear I2 on shaft I3 which rotates the drum 74 on which are positioned a plurality of links I5. The links 75 in turn are equipped with pins 78 which are operated in the conventional manner to slidably move the thread guide bars of the conventional horizontal or vertical knitting machines.

As a result of the operation of the clutch mechanism 28 the shaft I3 will be given an oscillating motion which will cause a link I5 to be placed in position so that the thread bars may contact the pins "I16. The first link I5 will then be moved out of position with a second link taking its place so that the thread bars may contact the pins of the second link. The oscillating motion will then bring the first link back in position so that the thread guide bars may once again engage the pins. Due to this oscillating motion the number of links needed to knit a certain pattern are substantially reduced.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6 the reciprocating motion is accomplished by movement of the bar 88 by the cam-8| which is positioned on the shaft 23. As the cam 8| engages the bar 88, as shown in Figure l, the bell crank 82 which is pivoted at 83 will be operated. The short leg of the bell crank 82 is connected to the lower end of the bar 80 through link 84 while the longer leg of the bell crank 82 is connected to block 85 through link 88. The block 85 in turn is pivotally mounted on a shaft 8,1 so that it may rock back and forth when moved by the link 86. Mounted on the block 85 is an electrical solenoid 88 whose plunger 89 is connected 'to a pawl 90 through a link 9|. When the solenoid 88 is energized the plunger 89 is caused to operate thereby pulling the pawl 98 into engagement with the ratchet 92. The ratchet 9.2 is secured to one end of shaft 81 while the gear 93 that engages withgear 68 is secured to the opposite endof the-shaft. The pawl 98 has one'endattached to a spring 94 which causes the pawl 98 to return to a normal position after the solenoid '88 has beende-energized. Likewise the bell-crank 82 is attached to a spring 95 which pulls it back to a normal position when the bar 88 is not being contacted by the cam 8|.

Asthe cam '8I rotates and contacts the bar 80 As the link 86 is 87 being rotated which in turn, rotates gear 93 that engages with gear 65 causing the crank pin "84 to rotate and thereby furnishing the reciproeating motion to the clutch mechanism 28.

When thesolenoid 878 is de-energized the spring 94 will disengage the pawl 90 from the ratchet 92 and at the same time, the spring 95 will pull the bell crank 82 back into its normal position where 4 it will be ready to repeat the operation when the bar 88 is contacted by the cam 8|.

Obviously, when the electrical solenoid 88 is deenergized no reciprocating motion will be transmitted to the clutch mechanism 20, and therefore, the clutch mechanism 20 will remain engaged in the position as shown in Figure 1, which will merely furnish an intermittent motion to the shaft 73 on which the drum 14 and links I5 are mounted. This intermittent motion will cause the links I5 and their pins I8 to be contacted in normal sequence to produce one pattern whereas when the oscillating or back and forth motion is given to the links, another pattern will be produced.

In Figure 7, I show a schematic wiring diagram of my preferred form of pattern control mechanism. The mechanism includes three micro switches, I08, I8I and I02 respectively, which are capable of being adjusted to either make or break an electrical circuit through the operation of their roller contact arms I83. Two of these micro switches I8I and I82 are operated by cams I04 and I positioned on the main drive shaft 23 with the result that on each revolution of the drive shaft 23 the camslil i and I85 function to close the switch contacts. The micro switch I82 is connected in series with solenoid I08 whose plunger I0'I is connected to a sprocket I08 on which is mounted a length of film I89. On each revolution of the drive shaft 23 the switch I02 will be closed resulting in the solenoid I06 being energized which in turn, will cause the plunger -I8'I to move the sprocket wheel I88 2. short distance resulting in the film I89 being moved over the plate I I8. A second electrical circuit consists of the switch I8I that is operated by cam I84 on the main drive shaft 28 which is connected in series with the solenoid 88 that actuates the pawl 98 and another micro switch I98 whose roller arm contacts I03 rides over the film I89 that is supported at this point by fiat plate I I8. The switch I80 is so arranged that its contacts are not closed until its roller arm I88 drops, which is in direct contrast to the operation of the other switches IOI and I02.

Shown in Figure'8 is a length of the film I99 with slots I I I in the center thereof. As the film I89 is moved under the roller of micro switch I88, the contacts of the switch will remain closed until that portion of the film I89 having the slot III reaches the roller II2. At that point, the roller I I2 will drop in the slot I II and ride on the plate II8 causing the contacts of switch I88 to close and thereby energizing the solenoid 88 that actuates the pawl 98. Obviously, when the roller I I2 is riding in the slot I I I, the pawl 'will'be actuated each time that the contacts on switch I8I are closed by the cam I88 on the main drive shaft 28. The film I89 is constantly being moved and when the end of the slot I I I is reached, the switch I88 will have its contacts opened once again and the pawl 90 will not operate. As it has been explained previously, the oscillating motion to the links is furnished only when the pawl 90 engages in the ratchet 92 and by making the slots III of various lengths, it can be seen that the design can be readily changed. The control circuit can be operated from the conventional 118 'volts A. C. circuit.

In Figure 9, I show a further modification of my device in which all parts remain the same except for switch I88 which is replaced by a photo electric cellI20. Obviously, the same results will be achieved by placing the film I09 in such a manner that the electrical circuit will be energized only when the light falling on the photo electric cell I 20 passes through the slots l l l causing the solenoid 88 to be energized and the pawl 90 to operate.

In Figure 11, I show still a further modification in which switch I00 remains in the circuit, however, the film l09 has been replaced by a cam I30 which has a plurality of notches l3! spaced in its outer periphery. These notches l3l can be so placed in the cam 830 that the pawl 00 will be operated only when the cam I 30 is in a predetermined position.

While the invention has been described in detail and with respect to a present preferred form which the invention may assume, it is not to be limited to such details and form since many changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest aspects. Hence it is desired to cover any and all forms and modifications of the invention which may come within the language or scope of any one or more of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An improvement in knitting machines having revoluble pin links to be associated with thread guide bars which includes. a continuously driven drive shaft, a driven shaft associated with said pin links, connections between said shafts to intermittently turn the driven shaft in one direction or another including a reversing clutch mechanism associated with the driven shaft to reverse the intermittent motion thereof when operated, a linkage connected to said clutch mechanism, said linkage including a ratchet gear,

a cyclically oscillated ratchet pawl operated from the drive shaft, a pattern control element 0perated cyclically from the drive shaft, and means associated with the pawl and operated by the pattern control element selectively to connect the pawl with the ratchet gear and operate the clutch mechanism.

2. An improvement in knitting machines having revoluble pin links to be associated with thread guide bars which includes, a continuously turning drive shaft, a driven shaft associated with said pin links, a bevel gear mechanism, means on the drive shaft to operate said bevel gear mechanism intermittently, said driven shaft being axially movable, a reversing clutch mechanism disposed between the bevel gear mechanism and the driven shaft, certain elements of said clutch mechanism mounted on and movable with said driven shaft, a linkage connected to said axially movable driven shaft, said linkage including a ratchet gear, a pawl mounted on an oscillatable plate and associated with said ratchet gear, a linkage connected to said plate and 0perated continuously from the drive shaft to oscillate said plate, a pattern control band, means associated with the drive shaft to cyclically move said band, means associated with said band and said pawl to selectively operate the pawl to engage the ratchet gear whereby said driven shaft is axially moved.

3. An improvement in knitting machines having revoluble pin links to be associated with thread guide bars which includes, a selectively slotted pattern control band, a continuously moving drive shaft, a driven shaft, means for intermittently operating the driven shaft in one direction or another from the drive shaft including a reversing clutch mechanism, and to axially .ing revoluble pin links to be associated with thread guide bars which includes, a driven shaft axially movable, a linkage adapted to be moved in one direction or another to axially move said driven shaft, said linkage including a ratchet gear, a driving shaft, a bevel gear mechanism connecting the driving and driven shafts, a pawl associated with said ratchet gear, a linkage associated with said pawl and operated by said drive shaft to oscillate said pawl, a pattern band, and means associated between the pattern band and the pawl to operate said pawl selectively and engage it with the ratchet gear to axially move said driven shaft.

5. An improvement in knitting machines having revoluble pin links to be associated with thread guide bars which includes, a continuously turning drive shaft, a driven shaft axially movable, a double bevel gear mechanism associated with the driven shaft and means on the drive shaft to intermittently operate said double bevel gear mechanism, a reversing clutch mechanism connecting the bevel gear mechanism and the driven shaft, certain elements of the clutch mechanism on and movable with said driven shaft, said driven shaft being associated with said pin links, a linkage adapted to be reciprocated and connected to the driven shaft to move it axially in one direction or the other, a ratchet gear included in said linkage, an oscillatable plate, a pawl on said plate associated with said ratchet gear, a solenoid on said plate connected to said pawl, a cam on the drive shaft, a linkage associated with said cam and connected to said plate to oscillate the plate and the pawl thereon, a pattern control band having slots of selected length therein and at selected intervals thereon, a cam on the drive shaft and circuit means including a switch operated by said last mentioned cam to cyclically step said band, another switch associated with the band and adapted to be operated by the encounter with a slot therein, another cam on the drive shaft and switching means on said last mentioned cam, circuit connections between the switching means and the switch on the band, and the solenoid to selectively operate the solenoid during the engagement of the switch on the band with a slot whereby the linkage to move the driven shaft axially is operated.

JOHN ALLEN YANKEELOV.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 405,645 Wyman June 18, 1889 457,265 Frelloehr et al Aug. 4, 1891 489,801 Frelloehr Jan. 10, 1893 1,712,660 Friedmann May 14, 1929 1,791,989 Weinrub Feb. 10, 1931 2,095,133 Holtz Oct. 5, 1937 2,130,236 I-Ioltz Sept. 13, 1938 2,218,493 

